Bernice Higgs

BERNICE HIGGS, daughter of the late Robert Whitaker, Sr. and Hattie Smith, was born March 14, 1935 in Palmyra, North Carolina. Bernice received her education at Brawley High School, in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Her continued education included studies at the following colleges and industries: Community College of Baltimore; The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, and the Hampton University Ministers and Choir Director's Conference. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Virginia College and Seminary of Lynchburg, VA. She was employed by the Baltimore Public School System School System. On November 23, 1953, Bernice joined in Holy Matrimony to her childhood sweetheart, the late Nathaniel Higgs, who she met at the age of nine. Together Bernice and Nathaniel build a God-fearing household filled with love and laughter. Following the lead of her husband, in 1957, Bernice joined the Southern Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. James R. Grant. In 1966, Bernice became leading lady in the Southern Baptist Church, holding numerous positions. As First Lady, she served as... Women's Day Chairlady, 1972 Vacation Bible School Director, 1972 Interim General Church Secretary, February- March 1980 Organizer & Editor of the Southern Baptist Church Courier, 1972-1980 Holy Land (Israel) Study Tour, 1983 Secretarial Staff First Lady Emeritus 2002-2012 She was a devoted member of the; Early Morning Choir Southern Baptist Mass Choir New Members Counselors Greater Baltimore Minister's Wives & Minister's Windows Fellowship Board of Christian Education Bulletin Board Ministry N.A.A.C.P. (Local and National) Co-Coordinator of the Senior Citizen Auxiliary Working member of the Church CARE COMMITTEE Member of the Secular Educational Board of Community College of Baltimore Southern Baptist Church Educational Scholarship Awards Commission, Inc. Mrs. Higgs was widely known and recognized as a songstress throughout many churches in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Many loved to hear her sing, a few of those she led were: God Specializes, The Broken Vessel, Precious Lord, He's Real, I Will Guide Thee, I Can Depend, I'm Happy with Jesus Alone, I'm Going Through, I'm Willing to Run All the Way, In The Garden and Lord I Thank You. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, designing Booklets, decorating, caring, and sharing with others. She had a passion for gardening and growing flowers. Like thousands of women and men every year; our loved one became a three-year Breast Cancer Survivor, until the early morning hours of October 4, 2012 when God laid all her pain and suffering to rest. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories: four sons, Nathaniel Jr., Marvin, Bruce, and David; four daughters, Angela, Carol, Melissa, and Rosita; one adopted son, Dr. Robert L. Hayes; one adopted daughter Peggy Kellam; four daughter-in-law, Marie, Trina, Joanne and Janet; one son-in-law, Melvin Davis; one sister, Stella Redfearn, five sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; fifteen grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Bernice Higgs

March 14, 1935 - October 4, 2012